Issue Position: Energy

Issue Position

Our economy and Maryland's future depends upon having a reasonable energy policy that will help reduce the tremendous burden being placed on consumers. Currently, we have an energy policy in Maryland that does not promote reduced costs for consumers, nor does incentives using alternative fuels to break our dependence on foreign oil. I have always fought hard for Maryland rates payers and industry and pledge to continue to stand up to the liberal majority in the future.

During the previous legislative session Senate Bill 309/House Bill 712 would have mandated a 25% reduction by 2020 in greenhouse gases and would have set a goal curbing emissions 90% by 2050. If passed, industries would have made significant alterations to their manufacturing productivity resulting in higher costs. Plus, other states without restrictions on greenhouse gases would have a competitive advantage, thereby resulting in loss of jobs to other states or other countries.

Still, the Democratic House Majority Leader and lead sponsor of the House version, stated that the fear of job loss were "groundless". Contrary to the Leadership's position, the bill's fiscal note stated "costs could increase significantly" on businesses that would have been subject to the reduction measures and any cap-in-trade program established under this bill. Moreover, he stated "manufacturing is only a small portion of the state's economy". Whether the manufacturing is only a small portion of the state's economy is not the issue, rather sustaining jobs in Maryland is. These jobs provide the necessary income for thousands of households, statewide.

Sadly, the Leadership in Annapolis has become so fixated on attempting to resolve Global Warming that they have become delusional to the negative hardships it will create for Maryland's economy and workforce. Put simply, his statement is a chilling representation of the Democratic Leadership's true priority to make Maryland a "Green State" rather than to protect its manufacturing industries and their workers.

In addressing the highly controversial issue on Maryland's energy rates and rising costs, the Governor and the Democratic Leadership made minimal efforts to aid Maryland households. Instead, they codified an 85% electric rate increase and passed energy policies that will serve to further increase rates. While they're busy patting themselves on the back for passing ineffective legislation, they had the audacity to tell Marylanders that they should be grateful for the $170.00 rebate they will receive on their electric bills. In most cases, the rebate won't even cover the increase in a month's electric bill.

The General Assembly, in their ill-fated attempt to avert Maryland households from continuing to pay astronomical energy rates, passed House Bill 608. House Bill 608, entitled Public Service Commission-Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programs and Service Customer Notification and Report requires electric companies and gas companies to provide certain customers with notice of certain energy efficiency and conservation charges and benefits. These notifications shall be published on each company's website and contained in a customer's bill statement. Moreover, by February 1, 2009, and every two (2) years thereafter, the Public Service Commission (PSC) must report to the General Assembly on the status of energy efficiency and conservation programs and services.

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